Delhi Court Discharges Kejriwal and Sisodia in Liquor Policy Case
Court Ruling on Liquor Policy Case
A Delhi court has cleared Aam Aadmi Party leaders Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia, along with 21 others, of charges brought by the Central Bureau of Investigation regarding the liquor policy. The court determined that there was no substantial conspiracy or criminal intent associated with the policy.
The court criticized the CBI for including Kejriwal and Sisodia without sufficient evidence, noting that the chargesheet contained numerous inconsistencies lacking support from witnesses or statements. The bench indicated it would recommend a departmental investigation into the agency officials responsible for making a public servant the primary accused in this case.
In response, the Congress party remarked that actions against the Bharatiya Janata Party’s 'convenient allies' would likely 'quietly fizzle out' as elections in Gujarat and Punjab approach next year. Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav referred to the ruling as a 'moral death sentence' for the BJP.
In another development, the Kerala High Court has lifted a stay on the release of the film The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond. Previously, Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas had halted the film's release, citing concerns over potential communal discord.
On Friday, the court questioned how the judge could reach such serious conclusions about the film's impact without viewing it. The filmmakers argued that preventing the release of a movie already approved by the Central Board of Film Certification was an excessive measure.
Additionally, a Delhi court granted bail to 14 students from Jawaharlal Nehru University who were arrested while attempting to march to the Union education ministry. The students aimed to demand the resignation of Vice Chancellor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit over her allegedly casteist comments.
The students are calling for Pandit’s resignation following her statement in an interview with The Sunday Guardian, suggesting that progress for Dalits cannot be achieved by perpetually adopting a victim mentality.
More than 50 students were detained during the protest.
In political news, former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam, who was expelled from the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, has joined the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu are anticipated in April or May.
DMK leader and Chief Minister MK Stalin welcomed Panneerselvam 'with open arms.' The former chief minister was ousted from the AIADMK in 2022 following a leadership conflict with Edappadi K Palaniswami, the current Opposition leader.
The Supreme Court has rejected the West Bengal government's objections regarding the Election Commission's training of judges assigned to handle claims and objections during the special intensive revision of electoral rolls. The bench stated that the commission's training program does not supersede the court's directives and emphasized the need to trust the judicial officers.
The court remarked that it is appropriate for the poll panel to collaborate with judges, given that they have been assigned tasks outside their usual responsibilities.